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NEW DELHI: The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India tour, which began in chaotic fashion, ended on a rousing note as the football icon promised to return after delivering unforgettable moments during a brief yet powerful appearance in the capital on Monday.

For a change, football ruled the spotlight at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, where thousands gathered to witness a player whose genius on the pitch has redefined the modern game.

Messi’s words leave fans emotional

The atmosphere reached its peak when Lionel Messi addressed the crowd, which included Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ICC chairman Jay Shah and former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

“Well, I just want to thank everyone for the love and affection during these days in India. In fact, it was a truly beautiful experience for us to be able to share it,” Messi said.

Speaking in Spanish, Messi went on to express how deeply the reception had touched him despite the short duration of the visit.

“And although it was short and intense, it was wonderful to receive all this love that I knew existed, but receiving it directly was amazing. It was a crazy experience, everything they did for us these days,” he added.

He concluded with a promise that brought loud cheers from the stands.

“So, we carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India. Thank you very much.”

A star-studded evening at Kotla

After a disorderly start to the tour in Kolkata, the Delhi leg delivered the ending organisers had hoped for. The stands at Kotla were packed, with fans soaking in the spectacle of hosting one of the most recognisable athletes in world sport.

Messi took a lap of the ground, smiling and waving, as chants of his name echoed around the stadium. Many supporters wore Argentina’s iconic blue and white No. 10 jersey, creating a sea of colour.

As confetti floated through the air, Messi, along with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, kicked balls into the crowd while circling the venue, which saw an attendance of around 25,000.

During the ceremony, Jay Shah presented Messi with an Indian cricket team jersey bearing No. 10. Suarez received a No. 9 shirt, while De Paul was handed the No. 7.

An unforgettable moment for supporters

For many fans, Messi’s presence alone made the long wait worthwhile. Among them were brothers Amog and Arnav Purohit, for whom the evening felt deeply personal.

“This was a dream come true moment for us,” Amog said. “Watching him live… ideally, we would have liked to see him play, but unfortunately, that couldn’t happen.”

Despite concerns over crowd management and the brevity of the visit, the sense of fulfilment remained strong.

“The crowd management could have been better. He was here for a really short time,” Amog added.

Arnav, who flew in from Bengaluru, summed up the devotion shared by many in the stands.

“My brother and I have been Messi fans for a really long time. For him we can do anything.”

Messi’s schedule earlier in the day was affected by weather conditions, with his charter flight from Mumbai delayed due to fog. He eventually landed in Delhi around 2:30 pm before heading to the Leela Palace Hotel for a private meet and greet.

Despite the logistical challenges, the final leg of the tour ended with smiles, cheers and a promise that fans will hold on to — that Lionel Messi will return to India once again.

(With PTI Inputs)